MANILA -- In response to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has authorized 31 ships to carry relief goods and transport of passengers in various areas severely affected by the onslaught of typhoon Odette.

With the guidance of Transportation Secretary Arthur P Tugade, MARINA Administrator Robert A Empedrad renewed his call for more domestic owners and ship operators to apply for special permits in areas that are most in need of resources. He said that the MARINA will give priority consideration in the processing of such applications.

In Surigao and in Southern Leyte, at least 11 ships are now serving these routes.

1.MV Reina Veronica forSurigao Port to Dinagat Islands and vice versa;
2.MV Reina Magdalena for Surigao City to Dapa, Siargao and vice versa;
3. MV Precious Ferry for Surigao City to Dapa, Siargao and vice versa;
4. MV Sean Ferry 2 for Surigao City to Dapa, Siargao and vice versa;
5. MV Adrian Jude for Liloan, Southern Leyte to Nasipit, Agusan del Norte Port and vice-versa;
6. MV Starlite Pioneer from Cebu Port to Surigao Port and vice versa;
7. MV Fast Cat M14 from Southern Leyte to Opol, Misamis Oriental and vice versa;
8. MV Fast Cat M6 from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental - Dapitan Zamboanga del Norte and and vice versa
9. LCT Star Area from Port of Samar to Southern Leyte and vice versa;
10. Barge Big Grace from Vista to Port of Surigao and vice versa;
11. MV Reiseschatz for Surigao Port to Dinagat Islands and vice versa.

“We expect that 5 more ships will serve Surigao and its various islands once they have complied with safety requirements following inspection and audit undertaken by our maritime safety engineers in our Regional Office in Surigao City which is temporarily being housed as its Extension Office in Butuan City”, Empedrad said.

Meanwhile, the following ships have also been authorized to resume their operations and have been urged to prioritize the carriage of relief goods from various donors.

1. MV Trans Asia 20 for Batangas Port to Bogo, Cebu via Culasi, Roxas City, Capiz and vice versa.
2. MV Starlite Saturn for Cebu Port, Cebu City to Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte and vice versa
3. MV Filipinas Cebu for Nasipit, Agusan del Norte to Cebu and vice versa
4. MV Filipinas Butuan for Nasipit, Agusan del Norte to Jagna, Bohol and vice versa;
5. MV Fast Cat M10 from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental - Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte and vice versa.
6. MV Fast Cat M6 from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental - Dapitan Zamboanga del Norte and and vice versa
7. MV Royal Seal 3 for Port of Adjong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental to Port of Liloan Santander, Cebu and vice versa.
8. MV 2GO Masagana for Manila - Cebu - Nasipit - Manila and vice versa;
9. MV 2GO Maligaya for Manila - Cebu - Cagayan de Oro - Manila/ Manila - Iloilo - Bacolod – Manila
10. MV Saint Michael the Archangel for Manila - Dumaguete - Zamboanga and vice versa.
11. MV Saint Therese of the Child Jesus for Manila - Bacolod - Iloilo - Cagayan de Oro - Iloilo – Manila and vice versa.
12. MV Saint Francis Xavier for Manila - Dumaguete - Zamboanga – Manila and vice versa.
13. MV Lady Of Good Health for Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte - Cebu City and vice versa.
14. MV Lady Of Joy for Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte - Cebu City and vice versa.
15. MV Lite Ferry 5 for Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte - Samboan, Cebu and vice versa.
16 MV Lite Ferry 1 for Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte for Oslob, Cebu and vice versa.
17. MV Maria Josefa for Dumaguete, Negros Oriental for Dapitan Zamboanga del Norte and vice versa.
18. MV Reina Divina Gracia for Dumaguete, Negros Oriental for Dapitan Zamboanga del Norte and vice versa.
19. MV Trisha Kerstin 1 for Dumaguete, Negros Oriental - Dapitan Zamboanga del Norte and vice versa
20. MV Filipinas Surigao for Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte for Cebu City and vice versa.

The MARINA assures the public, especially in areas affected by the typhoon, that it will continue to implement policies that will help avoid the impeding of transport of goods and services nationwide. The Agency also encourages the riding public to cooperate with the safety measures implemented by the Agency, as well as the national government, to achieve zero maritime casualty. (MARINA)